The Social Studies Exit Project will be due on Monday, May 14th, 2014. Research papers and Display Boards must be submitted at that time.=========================================================February 2015Dear Parents/Guardians:

It is my pleasure to inform you that we will now commence an important and mandatory segment of the 2012 - 2013 year at Young Scholars Academy. As part of the Social Studies curriculum, your child will be expected to submit their Yearly Exit Project as an essential part of their Final Social Studies Grade. This Exit Project will consist of three (3) parts:

Part 1 - The Written Component (50 % of the Grade) - Your Young Scholar will be required to submit a written Research Paper of between 4 to 5 pages on the topic they have selected. The Research Paper must fit certain conditions as listed below: • Typed (done on word processor or computer). Any child without access to a typewriter, word processor or computer MUST bring a letter from their parent or guardian to receive SPECIFIC PERMISSION from the Instructor to submit a handwritten paper of between 5 to 6 pages in length. • Typed papers MUST be double-spaced and of a font size of 12. This is the same font size that you are reading in this letter. • Margins at the top and sides of the paper must be set at one inch from the edges of the standard 8.5" X 11" size stationary. Research Papers that show too much empty space will be downgraded accordingly. • References and Sources - Students will be required to list all sources from where their information was found. This applies to literary sources (library books) as well as internet sources. • Cover sheets are MANDATORY and must show the student’s Name, Official Class and the Title for the student’s work.

Part 2 - The Visual Presentation - (40% of the Grade) - The Oral Presentation will be accompanied by a display of visual images that will help the Young Scholar to explain the content of the subject to the Class and Instructor.

Part 3 - The Oral Presentation (10% of the Grade) - Your Young Scholar will be required to give a spoken presentation of no less than 5 minutes to their Class and Instructor which explains the content and substance of their Research Paper.

All preliminary and final topics MUST be discussed and cleared with Mr. Ramirez.

1) - The Civil Rights Movement

Possible subjects for presentation: ▸ How did such events as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the “Freedom Riders and the Selma, Alabama Bridge Protest serve to change American public opinion about the Civil Rights Movement? ▸ What role did the U.S. Supreme Court decisions play to further the cause of Civil Rights for all Americans of Color? ▸ How did the Civil Rights Movement for African-Americans affect other movements to gain equal rights for other segment of American society (such as the Womens’ Rights Movement)?

2 - Industry in America (The Industrial Revolution and its Effects)

Possible subjects for presentation: □ What changes in technology and finance enabled the United States to become the greatest industrial power in the world? □ Are there any comparisons to be made between the jump of technology in the 19th century and the technological advances made during the late 20th century (such as computers and information technology)? □ How have technological advances changed the way American, in both the 19th century and in more recent times? Have these changes been for the better or the worse?

3) - The World Wars (I & II) and Their Aftermaths

Possible subjects for presentation: □ How did the contributions of women and minorities during World War II lead to changes in their status in American society in the years after the War? □ What changes occurred in the status of Empires and Superpowers as a result of the Wars? How did these “Winners” change World politics and economies?

4) - Immigration and the Growth of the American Urban Centers

Possible subjects for presentation: □ Explain and show what were some of the factors (reasons) for leaving from specific homelands (Push Factors) and why the Immigrant groups you chose ended up settling in the places that they did (Pull Factors). □ Describe the conditions that older Immigrant groups encountered upon their arrival in the U.S. Compare the older immigrant experiences with those of more modern times. (Example - compare the experiences of Eastern European and Russian Jews with other victims of religious persecution, like Tibetan Buddhists) □ Examine and display the working conditions Immigrant groups faced when they arrived in the U.S. Analyze how their experience tied in with the modern Labor Union movement.

5) - The Roaring 20's: Prohibition, the “Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance and the Stock Market Crash of 1929

Possible subjects for presentation: □ Explain what was the intent behind the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Prohibition). Did the law change American society in the way intended? Summarize what parts of American society were affected by Prohibition. Draw conclusions as to whether or not America was better off while the Prohibition law was in effect. Explain the phenomena of excessive criminal behavior during the 1920's and 1930's. □ Organize a study of the Art forms that came out of the 1920's, such as Cubism, Dada and Surrealism. Compare these Art forms to some previous art forms, such as Impressionism and Classical forms of expression. □ Make connections as to how the African-American music form of Jazz influenced later popular musical forms, such as Rock & Roll, R & B and Hip Hop. □ Investigate how the experience of America taking part in World War I affected American society and its people. Assess how Americans took part in a decade-long “Get-Rich-Quick” scheme that ended in the Crash of 1929. Interpret what was the role of government and Big Business in the failure of the American financial system. □ Develop a logical argument that explains whether or not the United States sank back into a policy of Isolationism from the rest of world. Make connections between the end and result of World War I and Isolationism.

Wednesday, 04 February 2015 - Exit Project Packages Distributed - You will receive the packages and directions for the Exit Project. We will discuss the necessary items you will need to obtain. - Most questions will be answered. Please pay close attention. Please try not to duplicate questions within classes.

Monday, 23 February 2015 - Topic Selection Sheets Submitted - The sheet marked Topic Summary Paragraph Sheet from your Exit Project Package is due this day. You will have had the Spring Break to think about, research and select a topic, - Your topic is not final, but selecting a bad or unrealistic topic will delay your final product and probably result in a rushed product that will be poor in quality.

Monday, 09 March 2015 - Preliminary Sources Sheet Submitted The sheet marked Primary and Secondary Sources from you Exit Project Package will be due this day. - This will indicate what source material you intend to use. This is to see if you are on the right path. Any further suggestions or deletions of sources can be discussed at this time.

Monday, 30 March 2015 - First Draft of Research Paper - As indicated, your First Drafts must be submitted so as to give sufficient time (Spring Break Holiday) for corrections and re-directions.

Monday, 27 April 2015 - Preliminary Visual Items Overview - You will bring the pictures and other visual details that you intend to use on your Visual Board. This will give us a chance to eliminate inaccurate and superfluous items and suggest better or more accurate items.

Monday, 11 May 2014 - Final Social Studies Exit Project Due (Paper and Visual) - Late items will be downgraded heavily.

Wednesday, 13 May 2014 - Oral Presentations Will Begin In Classes - Individuals and teams will be expected to engage their fellow scholars in presenting their research and observations.

====================================================================================Your must fill out your topic on the Topic Summary Sheet and explain:

1. What Social Studies/History Topic you have selected; 2. Why this topic is of special interest you; 3. What prior knowledge you have about this subject. 4. What is the main question that your research will address and answer?=====================================================================================EXIT PROJECT: RESEARCH PAPER REQUIREMENTSWhen writing your research papers, make sure you follow the guidelines below and meet all of the requirements.

1. You must use at least 4 sources of information to research your topic. A minimum of 2 of these sources must be books (the classroom textbook does not count as a credible source). At least 1 of these sources must be a primary source. The rest of your sources may include information from the internet, old newspapers, journals, magazines, reference books, government documents etc. a. All information must be properly cited at the end of your paper in a bibliography (to cite means to give credit to the sources of ALL information provided, including charts, pictures etc) We will discuss how to format your bibliography.i. Please note- if you use the internet to conduct some of your research, make sure the websites you use are CREDIBLE- meaning they are historical and academic. Wikipedia is not a credible source and may not count as one of your 5 sources.

2. Your paper must have a thesis (your argument) that explains your position/opinion on the importance of this topic in U.S. History and explains what you will prove in your paper.a. You must have an introductory paragraph that includes a hook, background information on your topic and your thesis statement.b. You must have several body paragraphs that explain the topic, answer the research question and prove your argument using evidence. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence.c. You must also have a concluding paragraph. Your conclusion must restate your thesis and summarize exactly what you proved in your essay- how you proved your thesis.

3. Your paper must have a cover page. a. Your cover page must include your name, your class, the title of your paper, Young Scholars Academy, Mr. Ramirez and the date you completed your paper. You may also include a picture on the cover sheet.

4. Your paper must be a minimum of 4 pages (not including a cover sheet and bibliography page). Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font with 1 inch margins.a. You must proofread work before submitting it. Check for spelling and grammar errorsb. Make sure that your information is correctc. Your paper should be a well-organized presentation of information- not a collection of facts.d. Your paper should use quotes from your sources as evidence to prove your main ideas.5. Your paper must have at least 5 paragraphs (introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion). Three of your body paragraphs (or more!) must contain at least one QUOTE directly from a source that is introduced, inserted, and interpreted.

For Example,INTRODUCE: Pioneers had to be careful not to over-pack because oxen could die of exhaustion if the wagon was too heavy.INSERT: “The Jones family had packed their wagon so full that the entire wagon capsized when they tried to cross the Mississippi River.” (Smith, 54)INTERPRET: Even the most carefully planned trip could end in disaster.

NOTE: When you cite from a source you must include the author’s name and the page number. (if a website, then the name of the website and page number)

The following will make your paper either UNACCEPTABLE or will earn a deduction of points. (This will impact your opportunity to pass 8th grade and graduate) 1. failure to adhere to the guidelines mentioned on this sheet2. failure to have the required minimum sources3. failure to cite information in a bibliography4. failure to comply with the requirements regarding length of paper5. failure to present work in an organized fashion (with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion)6. failure to state information in your own words- in particular, any indication of plagiarism (either copying in part or in whole from a source, from another classmates paper, or from the internet) to a failing grade.